Calista Hartwell and the Homestead

The Hartwells filed Homestead application on October 16, 1871 and started working the land to “prove it up” as the saying went. Charles paid the sum of eighteen dollars to start the homestead process.

One of the first things the settler must do build is a house… the Hartwell’s house was described as “of logs, story & half, board floor & shingle roof. One door & one window.” Improvements to the property were described: “20 Rasberry (sic) bushes and 5000 Strawberry plants.”

This description was given on September 18, 1875 by Calista Hartwell, widow of Charles W. Hartwell. But wait! A widow? No…according to Grace Hooper’s “Pioneer Notes”, Charles left the family shortly after their arrival at South Arm in 1870. And it’s documented that Charles married Susan Winkworth August 2, 1874. Here’s the text from “Pioneer Notes” as written:

“In 1870 a boat drew in to the dock at the end of South Arm bringing Charles and Calista Hartwell and two children to land. They had taken up a soldier’s homestead nine miles south and west in Antrim County. In a short time, Mr. Hartwell left home and soon married another woman. Shocked and grieved, Mrs. Hartwell was confronted with the necessity of providing a living for her children, but she was a plucky woman and had a fair education so rose to meet the occasion. She worked at dressmaking and millinery and was appointed postmistress at South Arm and carried on for three years. Learning that she could prove up the homestead, she undertook the project and received the deed in her own name. It was required that she occupy the land a certain number of days each month, so she walked seven miles to the Kinney’s and they went with her ahead to break a trail through the deep snow. The women followed, each carrying necessary things…….she had made her way alone for eight years.”

Homestead application dated October 16, 1871, signed by Charles Hartwell.